But when reassigned to a junior high, Maria Waltherr-Willard's phobia kicked in. The Enquirer explains that "Documents filed in the case by her medical doctor, psychiatrists and psychologists note that she experiences stress, anxiety, chest pains, vomiting, nightmares and higher than healthy blood pressure when she’s around young children."

Walherr-Willard said she was forced to resign, and sued with a claim that she had an agreement with the district that she would not have to teach young children. A judge has dismissed three of her six claims so far.

The district says the teacher would still have a job had she not resigned.

Some might question why someone diagnosed with pedophobia would have a job that by its very nature involves children. But high school students do sometimes seem more like adults than kids, so maybe that's a happy medium. Online education, anyone?

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.